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  1. Givers’ Debut Album In Light

    April 26, 2011 by Steph

    Givers’ debut album In Light is set to be released June 7th. You’d never know that this quintet was from Lafayette, Lousiana–their pop sensibility infused into reverb-laden indie rock slots them perfectly alongside East Los Angeles mainstays Local Natives, Grouplove, and Lord Huron (which comes as no surprise knowing that the album was mixed by Ben Allen [Animal Collective, Deerhuner, Cee-Lo] and Chris Coady [Beach House, Grizzley Bear]).

    After tinkering indie-pop opening track “Up Up Up,” the album segues right into the dirtier and musically intricate “Meantime.” It’s then followed by the folk-infused “Saw You First” and “Ripe.” “Ceiling Of Plankton” and “In Your Eyes” are driven by a catchy afro-pop beat the it slows down a bit for the ballad “Go Out At Night.” The album closes with the passionate and catchy “Words” whose bridge and outro touch on a Japanese influence.

    In Light showcases a wide range of influences, while maintaining consistent to their own style of catchy indie-pop. It’s no wonder that they’ve been asked on tour by The Dirty Projectors and Ra Ra Riot. The hype around the band has already been buzzing and with this debut album, it will no doubt continue to grow

    Check out the folk-infused electro-pop “Saw You First”:

    Tour Dates…

    (more…)

    Category Albums | Tags: | 1 Comment

  2. White Sea at The Echoplex

    April 23, 2011 by Steph

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  3. I Adore Savoir Adore

    April 23, 2011 by Steph

    A friend at Popmatters recently described one of his favorite bands as “beautifully noisy pop” and it really struck a chord with me (pun intended). That perfectly describes music I love. Beautiful melodies and essentially pop music, but just dirty enough to be interesting and provoke  repeat listens.

    Brooklyn’s Savoir Adore gets slipped into this genre, along with Metric, The New Pornographers, and Superchunk. Although they have a bit more sheen than some (their bio calls them “dream pop” and “adventure wave”), Paul Hammer’s and Deidre Muro’s soft vocals, their noisy guitar riffs, and melodic tinkering certainly gives the ear enough to play with. Their album In the Wooded Forrest was released on Cantora Records in July 2009. They’re making new music as we speak and hopefully will have a sophomore release by the end of the year.

    Neon Gold premiered their track “Sparrows” at the end of March and it’s magical.

    “Loveliest Creature”

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  4. White Sea is Multi-talented

    April 22, 2011 by Steph

    My first introduction to White Sea was an EP of remixes called This Frontier. I knew then that I liked Morgan Kibby (the life and soul of White Sea), with party tracks infused with sex noises like “Ladykiller,” the hauntingly beautiful and dangerous “Cannibal Love,” the upbeat pop track “Mountaineer,” the intricate Japanese-inspired instrumental song, “Oljato” and the groovy radio-ready “Overdrawn.”

    I then caught Morgan, along with her violinist beau, performing these eletro tunes on the rooftop of The Blind Pig at SXSW. When the tracks sounded identical to the album versions, I was thoroughly impressed and longed to hear more. It wasn’t until I saw her at The Satellite two weeks ago that I even realized that the remixes were not her only forte. Rocking out with a full band, Morgan’s voice was amplified in a whole new light, not to mention her sexual energy radiating from the stage.

    Less than a week later, I am introduced to three White Sea remixes, on totally separate occasions. The Britney Spears and Naked and Famous White Sea remixes I received from two separate acquaintances and RCRDLBL sent me her Lord Huron remix. Not only does she put out amazing original material, but she can remix with the best of them.

    Since they’re all completely different, I’m including a video for her “Ladykiller” as well as streams for all of the remixes. Some of them are downloadable and I highly recommend it!

    Catch White Sea tomorrow at tomorrow at the Echoplex with Jamaica, The Chain Gang of 1974 and DJ Jorf (Passion Pit) feat Papercut
    8:30pm /$10 adv; $12 dos / 18+

    Streams and video below…
    (more…)

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  5. New Album from Dawes – Nothing Is Wrong

    April 22, 2011 by Steph

    ATO Records will release Los-Angeles-based Dawes sophomore album Nothing Is Wrong on June 7, 2011. Nothing Is Wrong is the follow-up to their Dawes’ 2009 debut, North Hills, after the dissolution of Simon Dawes. The album was recorded on 2″ analog tape (how retro), however they claim it’s a way “of focusing their energies and affirming their dedication to the creative process.” Guests on the record include Benmont Tench of The Heatbreakers on the organ and Jackson Brown’s guest vocals on “Fire Away.”

    The band describes themselves as “American rock n’ roll” and includes singer/guitarist Goldsmith, his brother Griffin on drums, keyboardist Tay Strathaim, and bassist Wylie Gelber. Their songs reflect a healthy influence of folk and country.

    Goldsmith is also a part of the supergroup Middle Brother with John McCauley of Deer Tick and Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit.

    Check out the new single “If I Wanted Someone”

     

    (more…)

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  6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.’s Debut LP Its a Corporate World

    April 19, 2011 by Steph

    I fell in love with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.when they played their first Los Angeles show as part of Futuresounds’ The Rumble Tour in September. Their live show is a big gimmick-y but they’re fun and their music is unique–like Animal Collective meets Deerhunter. After releasing Horse Power EP and two remix EPs, they’ve finally compiled a full-length. It’s a Corporate World will be released through Quite Scientific Records in conjunction with Warner Bros. Records.

    In addition, a double EP on vinyl will be made available for the first time and sold on their tour, featuring the Horse Power EP on the front, My Love Is Easy: Remixes Pt. 1 on the back, and comes complete with a pair ofChroma-Depth 3D glasses!

    The band will be on a headlining tour, starting May 10th in Boston. I’m hoping to catch them June 3rd at The Echo. See you there?

    TOUR…
    (more…)

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  7. He Is We “And Run” Acoustic Video

    April 18, 2011 by Steph

    I saw He Is We open for The Rocket Summer a while back and at the time, vocalist Rachel Taylor was extremely sick and was struggling to sing. Even then, I was impressed by her pipes. Some of their lyrics border on cheesy, but these guys work hard and make beautiful pop songs and deserve every bit of the accolades their new record is receiving. They’re Paramore meets Beiber with a dash of Ingrid Michaelson.

    Their debut full length My Forever was just released by Universal Motown on April 12th.

    Catch them on tour with Downtown Fiction (dates below…) (more…)

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  8. Walking Sleep LA Residency

    April 17, 2011 by Steph

    Click on the artwork to download the free EP

    There are two more Mondays left in April and on one of them, I will be heading over to The Satellite to check out Walking Sleep’s residency show. I can tell you right now it’s most likely going to be the free one, But at any rate, I just downloaded this EP and so far I dig it so I thought you might too. Groovy bass-heavy indie rock with guy/girl duo vocals (man, I’m a sucker for that). See you on Monday?

    4/18 Marvelous Toy, Michael’s House, Sara Radle Band (free)
    4/25 The Airborne Toxic Event ($20)

    Category Features, Tracks | Tags: ,,, | 3 Comments

  9. SXSW: Sea of Bees

    April 11, 2011 by Steph

    Finally, I’m done with my SXSW features! yes, almost a month later. Don’t judge. Last of my favorite acts from SXSW is Sea of Bees. Sea of Bees is Julie “Jules” Baenziger (plus about 3 other performers for the live show). Her unique soprano vocals are in sharp contrast to her tomboyish looks. The songs were booming and haunting, with tracks like “Marmelade” and “Gnomes” as the stand-outs. Although a strange comparison, each sounds like it would work well as part of the soundtrack to a Western: untamed and heavy, spurs and all.

    Jules commanded the stage with complete ease and her accompanying musicians were nothing to shake a stick at–the harmonies with the other girl musician were compelling. High praises have been sung for Sea of Bees’s Songs for the Ravens and it’s no wonder why.

    …Oh yeah, did I mention that Bob Boilen from NPR was at this show?

    MP3 of Marmalade

    [audio:http://addicted2shows.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/05-Marmalade-1.mp3|titles=Marmalade|artists=Sea of Bees]

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